Mat



y 1956 o. c. BRAMBLE, JR 3,262,134

MAT

Filed Nov. 2, 1964 Fi e/ZZZ? United States Patent Filed Nov. 2, 1964,Ser. No. 408,042 15 Claims. (Cl. 344) This invention relates to a matand more particularly to an improved construction for a mat which issuitable for use either on a gymnasium floor or in the field inconjunction with sports wherein the participants fall from a substantialheight onto a mat, such as, in high jumping.

Gym mats are customarily made of a canvas cover stuffed with cotton orother such similar material and tufted in order to retain the shape ofthe mat. The conventional mats are not Well suited for use in agymnasium in conjunction with certain sports, such as, high jump. In thehigh jump, participants jump, roll over a bar, and fall to the mat in arelatively awkward position. There is a history of many injuriesespecially broken arms and damaged elbows of high jumpers who land on aconventional gym mat. In order to provide an improved gym matconstruction, the applicant has found that by using an open cell foamrubber cushion inside a cover which cushion has a thickness of sixinches or greater, the number of injuries is reduced to a point wherethe number of injuries is nil. The subject mat has been used in grammarschool and high school athletic programs where most injuries occur withhigh jumpers because of their limited experience in high jumping. In thecourse of testing this mat, there were no injuries which resulted infractured bones, The lack of fractured bones in the particular programsin which the mat was tested indicates that the instant mat is greatlysuperior to the mats which were previously used. It was anticipated thatthe number of injuries may be reduced; however, it was totallyunexpected to find that in the course of the entire testing period,which lasted several months, there were no resulting fractures of bonessince the participants all had little or no experience in high jumping.It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to providean improved gym mat construction which mat may be used on a gymnasiumfloor and inexperienced high jumpers may land on the mat withoutappreciable damage to the high jumper.

It is another object of the herein disclosed invention to provide animproved gym mat construction wherein the gym mat may be utilized on agymnasium floor and it may be easily and conveniently stored and handledby simply and easily dissembling the gym mat.

It is a further object of the instant invention to provide an improvedgym mat construction which may be safely used on a gymnasium floor, andit may be also used in the field Where the participants Wear shoeshaving spikes thereon without damaging the gym mat.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide an improvedgym mat construction which gym mat may be easily and economicallymanufactured, but the mat has a high degree of durability.

Other objects and uses of the herein disclosed invention will becomereadily apparent to thost skilled in the art upon a perusal of thefollowing specification in light of the accompanying drawing in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a gym mat embodying the hereindisclosed invention;

FIGURE 2 is a partial cross sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1showing the inner construction of the gym mat shown in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an end view of a gym mat embodying the herein disclosedinvention with a landing surface secured to a cover of the gym mat; and

3,252,l3d Patented July as, was

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of a cushion for use in the subject mat.

Referring now to the drawing, a mat indicated by numeral 10, which matis an embodiment of the present invention, generally consisting of apair of identical cushions 12 each covered by a shield 14 and encased ina cover 16.

Each of the cushions 12 has a rectangular outer periphery in which thelength is twice the width, so that when the cushions are laid side byside with the long edges in abutment, the cushions define a mat whichis, substantially square. Each of the cushions in this instance has athickness of six inches to provide sufiicient thickness of the cushionto prevent the mat from bottoming out. Each cushion is made of an opencell foam copolymer, specifically the copolymer in this instance ispolyureathene having a density of 1.6 pounds per cubic foot. Althoughthe density of 1.6 pounds per cubic foot is the preferred density, thedensity of the copolymer may range between 1.5 and 1.85 pounds per cubicfoot. The polyureathene foam is compressible to 25 percent of itsoriginal thickness upon loading under the American Society of TestingMaterials, test number D 1564- 63T. It should be noted that in additionto a polyureathene, a polyester foam may be used as well as any othersuitable resilient foam rubber which meets the requirements ofcompressibility set forth herein.

As was mentioned above, each of the cushions 12 is covered with a shield14 to protect the cushion during handling. The shield in this instanceis of 10 ounce woven nylon fabric; however, the nylon fabrics between 10and 16 ounces may be used. In addition to nylon, 21 number eight orheavier duck material may also be used. Each of the shields 14 has aplurality of grommets 18 positioned thereon along the long edges orsides 20 of the cushion. These grommets provide openings which act asvents for the cushion; so that when the cushion is compressed, air maybe expelled from the shield, and of course, when a compressive force isreleased from the cushion, air may be drawn back into the shield, sothat the resilience of the cushion is dependent entirely upon thecushion material since the air is not trapped within the shield.

The cover 16 is made of a material identical to the material of theshields. The cover has a square outer periphery and a thickness which issufficiently great to receive the cushions. On one side of the cover,there is an opening of a sufficient size to receive the two cushions. Anelongated zipper 22 is mounted in the cover at the opening to provide aconvenient means for closing the opening to retain the cushions withinthe cover.

In FIGURES 1 and 2, the mat I0 is shown with four elongated latex strips24 bonded to the bottom of the cover with a suitable bonding agent suchas an epoxy resin. It is readily apparent that the latex strips could besewn onto the cover instead of being cemented to the cover. These latexstrips provide a friction means for the mat which is engageable with agymnasium floor to prevent the mat from readily sliding on a gymnasiumfioor.

Looking now to FIGURE 3, a mat 40 is shown therein which mat is adaptedfor use in the field Where athletes wear track shoes with spikes. Themat 40 is identical in construction to mat 10, but the latex strips arenot attached to the bottom of the cover. Instead, a landing surface 42is bonded to the upper surface of the cover. The landing surface is alayer of matted fibers bonded to each other in a thickness of onequarter of an inch. In this instance, the fibers are made of acopolymer, specifically, polypropylene. The layer of matted fibersprovides a surface upon which the spikes of a track shoe may be receivedwithout penetrating the landing surface to damage the cover or thecushions. The fiber layer, in this instance, has a density of 9.66pounds per cubic foot. It is evident that a layer having a greaterdensity and a greater thickness may be used; however, the specific layerdescribed herein has been found to be effective.

Although the instant description has described two mats, one of whichhas the friction means mounted on the bottom and the other with alanding surface secured to the top, it is evident that a single mat maybe made in which the friction means and the landing surface are securedto the cover, so that the mat may be used either on a gymnasium floor orin the field.

It is apparent that when the mat is used, the cushions 12 are placed inthe cover 16, and the mat is then placed on a gymnasium floor adjacentto a high jump bar. When the high jumper comes over the bar, he thenlands onto the mat 10. Inasmuch as the cushions are confined Within thecover, they do not spread apart. Should the high jumper land at theposition where the cushions abut, he is still protected. The utilizationof two cushions in the mat allows the mat to be handled conveniently byremoving one of the cushions from the cover for handling and storing themat. The cushions are covered with the shield 14 in order to protect thecushions during handling. Thus, the shield is actually handled, andthere is no opportunity for the cushions themselves to be gouged orotherwise damaged.

The improved feature in handling the mat discussed in relation to mat 10is also applicable to mat 40, inasmuch as the construction issubstantially the same with the exception of the difference in the coverconstruction. It should also be noted that a particular pair of cushionsmay be converted for use in either a gymnasium or in a field simply bychanging the cover. The cushions from one mat may be removed and placedin another cover to make the change simply and conveniently. Inasmuch asthe cushions are always used in a cover, the hardest wear is on thecover, so that the expense of replacing a mat is eliminated. It is onlynecessary to replace the cover rather than the cover and the cushion.

It also should be noted that inasmuch as each of the cushions is auniform piece of uniform material, the entire surface of the mat has auniform cushioning effect. In a construction wherein the material of thecushion may change position during usage, it is common for the materialto be pushed to the outer edges of the mat thereby the center tends tobecome flattened out, and decrease substantially the cushioning effectof the mat. The present construction eliminates this change ofcushioning effect during the life of the mat.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may find other and varieduses for the gym mat disclosed herein. They may also make variousmodifications and improvements without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention. Although a specific embodiment has been shownand described in detail herein, it is to be expressly understood thatthe herein disclosed invention is limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A gym mat comprising a pair of cushions positioned adjacent to eachother in a substantially horizontal plane, each cushion having athickness of six inches, each cushion being an open cell foam rubbermaterial having a density between 1.5 and 1.85 pounds per cubic foot, ashield covering each of said cushions, each of said shields having ventson the sides thereof to allow air to escape when the cushions arecompressed, and a container for holding the cushions together in thehorizontal plane.

2. A gym mat comprising a pair of cushions positioned adjacent to eachother in a substantially horizontal plane, each cushion having athickness of at least six inches, each cushion being an open cell foamrubber material having a density between 1.5 and 1.85 pounds per cubicfoot, a shield covering each of said cushions, each of said shieldshaving vents on opposite sides thereof to allow air to escape when thecushion is compressed, a cover having a receiving aperture containedtherein for receiving the cushion to hold the cushions together, andfriction means mounted on the bottom of the cover to hold the cover andthe cushions relative to a supporting surface.

'3. A gym mat comprising a cushion of an open cell resilient foam rubbermaterial having a density between 1.5 and 1.85 pounds per cubic foot,said cushion having a thickness of at least six inches, and a coversurrounding said cushion.

4. A gym mat comprising a pair of cushions, each of said cushions havinga rectangular outer periphery and being positioned adjacent to the othercushion in a substantially horizontal plane, each cushion having athickness of at least six inches, each cushion being an open cell foamrubber material, and a container encasing the cushions and holding thecushions together in a substantially horizontal plane.

5. A gym mat comprising a pair of cushions, each of the cushions beingidentical in size to the other cushion and having a rectangular outerperiphery, each of said cushions having a thickness of at least sixinches, each cushion being an open cell polyureathene foam having adensity between 1.5 and 1.85 pounds per cubic foot, and a container forholding the cushions together in a substantially horizontal plane.

6. A gym mat comprising a pair of cushions, each of said cushions havinga rectangular outer periphery, each of said cushions being adjacent toeach other, each of said cushions having a thickness of at least sixinches, each of said cushions being an open cell foam rubber materialhaving a density between 1.5 and 1.85 pounds per cubic foot, and acontainer for holding the cushions together in the horizontal plane.

7. A gy-m mat comprising a pair of rectangular cushions positionedadjacent to each other in a substantially horizontal plane, each of saidcushions having a thickness of at least siX inches, each cushion beingan open cell foam rubber material having a density between 1.5 and 1.85pounds per cubic foot, a shield covering the entire outer surface ofeach of said cushions, each of said shields having a plurality of ventsto allow the air to escape when the respective cushion is compressed, acover encasing the cushions for holding the cushions together in thehorizontal plane, and a plurality of elongated latex strips secured tothe bottom of the cover to provide a means for holding the coverrelative to a supporting surface.

8. A gym mat comprising a pair of cushions positioned adjacent to eachother in a substantially horizontal plane, each of said cushions havinga thickness of at least six inches, each of said cushions being an opencell foam rubber material having a density between 1.5 and 1.85 poundsper cubic foot, a shield covering individually each of said cushions,each of said shields having vents on a side to allow air to escape whenthe cushion is compressed, a container encasing said cushions andholding the cushions together in a substantially horizontal plane, and alayer of fiber bonded together having a thickness of at least onequarter of an inch secured to the upper surface of the cover to providea landing surface for said cover; said layer of fibers having a densityof approximately 9.66 pounds per cubic foot.

9. A gym mat comprising a pair of cushions, each of the cushions havinga generally rectangular outline and being positioned adjacent to eachother in a substantially horizontal plane, each cushion having athickness of at least six inches, each cushion being an open cell foamrubber material having a density between 1.5 and 1.85 pounds per cubicfoot, a shield covering individually each of said cushions, each of saidshields having vents on opposite sides thereof to allow air to escapewhen the re- 5 spective cushion is compressed, a cover encasing thecushions for holding the cushions in the horizonal plane, and a layer offibers bonded together and having a thickness of at least one quarter ofan inch secured to the upper surface of the cover to provide a landingsurface for the cover.

10. A gym mat comprising a pair of cushions, each of said cushionshaving a rectangular outer periphery and having a thickness of at leastsix inches, each cushion being an open oell resilient foam rubbermaterial, a container receiving the cushion to hold the cushionstogether with opposite edges adjacent to each other and holding thecushions in a substantially horizontal plane, friction means mounted onthe bottom of the container to prevent the container from slidingrelative to a supporting surface, and a layer of fibers bonded togetherhaving a thickness of at least one quarter of an inch and secured to theupper surface of the container to provide a landing surface therefor.

11. A gym mat comprising a pair of cushions, each of said cushionshaving a rectangular outer periphery and being positioned adjacent tothe other cushion in a substantially horizontal plane, each of saidcushions having a thickness of at least six inches, each cushion beingan open cell foam rubber material having a density between 1.5 and 1.85pounds per cubic foot, a shield covering individually each of saidcushions, each of said shields having vents to allow air to escape whenthe cushion is compressed, a cover encasing the cushions to hold thecushions together in the horizontal plane, a friction means mounted onthe bottom surface of the cover to hold the cover relative to asupporting surface, and a layer of fibers bonded together having athickness of at least one quarter of an inch secured to the uppersurface of the cover to provide a landing surface.

12. A gym mat comprising a pair of cushions, each of said cushionshaving a rectangular outer periphery and having a thickness of sixinches, each cushion being an open cell foam rubber material having adensity between 1.5 and 1.85 pounds per cubic foot, a fabric shieldcovering each of said cushions, a fabric container receiving thecushions to hold the cushions together adjacent to each other in asubstantially horizontal plane, a plurality of elongated latex stripsfixed to the bottom of the container to prevent slipping of thecontainer relative to a supporting surface, and a layer of fibers bondedtogether having a thickness of at least one quarter of an inch securedto the upper surface of the container to provide a landing surfacetherefor.

13. A gym mat comprising a pair of cushions, each of said cushionshaving a rectangular outer periphery and having a thickness of at leastsix inches, each cushion being an open cell resilient foam rubbermaterial having a density between 1.5 and 1.85 pounds per cubic foot, ashield covering each of said cushions having a plurality of vents oneach of a pair of opposed edges to allow air to escape when the cushionis compressed, a container receiving the cushions and holding thecushions adjacent to each other in a substantially horizontal plane, aplurality of elongated latex strips secured to the bottom of thecontainer to prevent sliding of the container relative to a supportingsurface, and a layer of fibers bonded together and having a thickness ofat least one quarter of an inch secured to the upper surface of thecontainer to provide a landing surface therefor.

14. A gym mat comprising a pair of cushions, each of said cushionshaving a rectangular outer periphery and having a thickness of sixinches, each cushion being an open cell polyureathene foam having adensity between 1.5 and 1.85 pounds per cubic foot, a fabric shieldcover ing each of said cushions, each of the shields having a pluralityof vents in opposite sides defining the edges of the respectivecushions, a fabric container receiving the cushions for holding thecushions adjacent to each other with opposite edges in substantialabutment and said cushions being in a substantially horizontal plane, alayer of fibers bonded together and having a thickness of at least onequarter of an inch secured to the upper surface of the container toprovide a landing surface therefor, and a plurality of elongated latexstrips secured to the bottom of the container to provide a means forpreventing sliding of the container relative to a supporting surface.

15. A gym mat comprising a pair of cushions having a rectangular outerperiphery, each of said cushions being positioned adjacent to the othercushion in a substantially horizontal plane, each cushion having athickness of at least six inches, each cushion being an open cell foamrubber material having a density between 1.5 and 1.85 pounds per cubicfoot, a shield covering the entire outer surface of each of saidcushions, each of said shields having vents on each of a pair of opposedsides to allow air to escape when the cushion is compressed, a containerreceiving the cushions holding the cushions adjacent to each other in asubstantially horizontal plane, a plurality of latex strips on thebottom of the container for holding the container relative to asupporting surface, and a layer of fibers bonded together and having athickness of at least one quarter of an inch secured to the uppersurface of the container to provide a landing surface, said layer offibers having a density of approximately 9.66 pounds per cubic foot.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,151,894 8/1915Meineoke 571 2,298,218 10/1942 Mads-on 5361 2,651,788 9/1 953 Forwood5352 2,853,399 9/1958 Shoults 5-361 2,962,183 11/1960 Rill et a1. 220-93,027,573 4/1962 Bell 5355 3,027,967 4/1962 Silver 5-355 3,070,40212/1962 Stanton 5345 3,082,768 3/1963 Johns 5355 3,118,153 1/1964 Hood5361 3,204,259 9/1965 Gordon 5-355 FOREIGN PATENTS 656,809 5/1929France.

395,923 7/ 1933 Great Britain.

134,698 2/1952 Sweden.

FRANK B. SHERRY, Primary Examiner. C. A. N UNBERG, Assistant Examiner.

1. A GYM MAT COMPRISING A PAIR OF CUSHIONS POSITIONED ADJACENT TO EACHOTHER IN A SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL PLANE, EACH CUSHION HAVING ATHICKNESS OF SIX INCHES, EACH CUSHION BEING AN OPEN CELL FOAM RUBBERMATERIAL HAVING A DENSITY BETWEEN 1.5 AND 1.85 POUNDS PER CUBIC FOOT, ASHIELD COVERING EACH OF SAID CUSHIONS, EACH OF SAID SHIELDS HAVING VENTSON THE SIDES THEREOF TO ALLOW AIR TO ESCAPE WHEN THE CUSHIONS ARECOMPRESSED AND A CONTAINER FOR HOLDING THE CUSHIONS TOGETHER IN THEHORIZONTAL PLANE.